Medical marijuana poll: Most L.A. voters support dispensaries

More than three-quarters of the voters in Los Angeles County want to see medical marijuana dispensaries regulated, rather than prosecuted and forced to close, according to a poll released today by a national organization that supports marijuana legalization.

The poll, completed Monday and Tuesday, also found that 74% support the state's medical marijuana law, while 54% want to see marijuana legalized, regulated and taxed.

The Marijuana Policy Project, based in Washington, D.C., commissioned the poll by an independent firm, Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, after Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley threatened all dispensaries in the county with prosecution.

Cooley and Los Angeles City Atty. Carmen Trutanich argue that the stores, which now number in the hundreds, are selling marijuana for profit in violation of state law.

"I think the take-home message here is voters in L.A. County overwhelmingly support the state's medical marijuana law. They think dispensaries, properly regulated, can be a part of that, and Mr. Cooley's really out of step," said Bruce Mirken, the California-based spokesman for the organization.

The poll of 625 voters found that 77% of voters want to regulate dispensaries, while 14% want them closed. Both Democrats (83%-7%) and Republicans (62%-30%) support regulation over prosecution. The Los Angeles City Council is on the verge of adopting regulations after two years of debate and almost 13 years after voters passed Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act.

The proposed law would ban sales of marijuana. Dispensary operators say they do not sell it, but collect donations to recoup their costs, but they fear the ordinance will be used against them.

Sandi Gibbons, a spokeswoman for the district attorney, said that Cooley merely intends to enforce state law. "Selling marijuana over the counter for profit is a violation of the law," she said. "Mr. Cooley has said that, if it is found that the marijuana is being supplied in accord with the Compassionate Use Act, then those operations are not targets."

The poll found support for treating marijuana similarly to alcohol among county voters across most demographics, except voters who are 65 or older and Republicans. Both groups oppose it by about a 10-point margin. Young people, voters between 18 and 34, strongly support legalization, 72%-18%.

Legalization supporters are collecting signatures for four different initiatives that could be on the ballot next year. The Marijuana Policy Project has reservations about moving forward, noting that younger voters typically turn out more heavily in presidential election years.

The poll underscores the growing support for legalization, but the majority is not a large one. "It's a sign of huge progress," Mirken said. "It's not a sign that you are going to win."

Mason-Dixon randomly selected voters from the county's registration list and interviewed those who said they voted regularly. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

-- John Hoeffel

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Comments

[MaxCohen]

Why are we opposed to one healthcare provider turning a profit while turning a blind eye to the BILLIONS of dollars in profit that the prescription drug companies make every year, Money they make selling drugs that can be much more harmful to society then marijuana every could.
Is a dispensary owner any different then the board of pfizer?
How many dispensaries are there compared to liquor stores and Pharmacies in LA. It doesn't even come close.
Let dispensaries make a profit. This is America.

[Jeffrey Henderson]

Trutanich and Cooley just want to help their old Mexican drug cartel friends get back in business by shutting down legitimate safe dispensaries.

Glad I'm in the South Bay.

[Samantha]

I'm a CA voter, and I will be voting for the first time in my life at the age of 31, I have never voted because I don't feel that any politicians are honest, and I feel that campaign promises are just that, and nothing more. Politicians disgust me, especially the ones that take bribes and have sex with lobbyist, they couldn't care less about the citizens, its about getting what they can while they can, and these people have the nerve to point fingers at people who use pot to relax like were some kind of criminals. It may not be a presidential election year, but you can count on my vote for the legalization of marijuana, Ive already mailed out my voter registration, and have urged all my friends and family to do the same.

[Warren]

Los Angeles City Atty. Carmen Trutanich needs to be recalled. Trutanich is acting like a pitbull with no training.

[Francisco R.]

I will make you a deal: if you support marijuana dispensaries, you can have them on the block where you live. Those of us who don't support them, we won't have them where we live. That way, if you want dispensaries, you can deal with the crime and the trash and the slimy drug dealers who hang out at them. Keep it on your block - not where my family lives.

[Tom]

legalize, regulate and monitor drug usage and eliminate organized crime in these areas....that is the answer to the "war" on drugs

[Paul]

Trutanich is a tyrant. He has done nothing but intimidate and go far beyond his bounds ever since his election. From Collectives to Staples center. He's a crook looking for shake down protection money. When is his term over? Even the city council is looking to have him removed. He's acting like his idol Nixon. And we remember what happened to him...

[Matt Cohen]

As the owner of The Natural Way in Midcity, I can tell Miss Samantha that she can take heart that her vote will be joined by many many of her fellow citizens of L.A. Mr Cooley and Mr Trutanich have betrayed the trust of this city and the large numbers of Medical Marijuana professionals, like myself, who championed their campaigns as a fresh way to look at this issue. They told us they were with us...and now this pogrom aimed at all of us. They lied and will have short political careers as a result. Look at those poll numbers and see their end.

[DorothyDee]

Mr. Cooley is going backwards. Regulation and security at the dispensaries is needed, and then more taxes on the sales/donations of medical marijuana for every individual city that has them, is the correct thing to do.

With prescription drug addiction from opiates so profound, then the cost to treat this addiction and crimes committed seeking more. Medical Marijuana is the only safe alternative that makes sense to be made available to people.

And remember, everyone needs to make a legitimate living, having ones own business, paying taxes like a cigarette or liquor store is no different. The government needs to protect these facilities from crime as well.

[The Writing's on the Wall]

The writing is definitely on wall, but what does it say? Fastrack to Marijuana legalization or a fastract to Cooley's ouster? If it is the latter, Carmen is not far behind.

[La times reader]

Every so called "Poles" are subjective to the polester. They only contact the once that will help their causes.

All I can say is that we NEED more "POT HEADS" on the road...as if we don't have enough DUIs...
I don't know why we just let everybody just get high and have fun...until we all just kill each other on the road......?
Sorry to disagree!

[janice]

I don't personally smoke pot, but I am pro-legalization. I tried it in college, and while it's not really my thing, I understand that's it's far less harmful than alcohol or tobacco. Regulate it, and tax it. The cultural stigma attached to it seems to be preventing people from seeing it for what it really is: very helpful for many physical ailments medically, and just flat-out not that big of a deal recreationally. Cooley and Trutanich are living in the 1950's.

[Eric of Reseda]

WHY IS MARIJUANA ILLEGAL? No one, I mean NO ONE, has been able to adequately answer that question. Alcohol & cigarettes kill HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS a year in this country. Prescription drugs? Almost as many. Weed? Well, according to the CDC, not one person has died from marijuana use. Have people died under the influence? Without a doubt. But it is a mere fraction, a tiny, tiny fraction compared to the toll taken by alcohol. SO WHY IS MARIJUANA ILLEGAL? Medical marijuana gave me my first good night's sleep in two-three years. The ability to get my 6-8 hours of deep rest has improved my health. Mr. Cooley, you go ahead and try and shut down legally operating dispensaries. But bring your lunch. It'll be a long fight.

[Eric Beck]

FROM THE MAN WHO MADE MARIJUANA ILLEGAL, OUR FIRST DRUG "CZAR", HARRY ANSLINGER:

"There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz, and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and any others.”
“…the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races.”
“Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death.”
“Reefer makes darkies think they’re as good as white men.”
“Marihuana leads to pacifism and communist brainwashing”
“You smoke a joint and you’re likely to kill your brother.”
“Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind.”

THIS IS THE MAN WHO MADE MARIJUANA ILLEGAL!!!

[toby]

I think Cooley is wasting Tax Payers money on Grandstanding himself for higher office.

And he's doing this on the backs on Cancer Patients and AIDS patients...the last people in this society that NEED MORE STRESS!

I say Recall this guy. He's so out of step with LA and trapped in the 60s.

We need modern Leaders who understand modern problems and tackles them with modern solutions....and not this throw back to Reefer Madness tool that we have now.

[toby]

"I will make you a deal: if you support marijuana dispensaries, you can have them on the block where you live. Those of us who don't support them, we won't have them where we live. That way, if you want dispensaries, you can deal with the crime and the trash and the slimy drug dealers who hang out at them. Keep it on your block - not where my family lives."

Posted by: Francisco R.

I say treat them like Liquor stores. Have the permits go throw a public meeting.

So you then can get your joint that you secretly smoke for severe peptic ulcer (from worrying about all those hippies doing "crime") at Costco, since they will have a wall of Marijuana packs next too the wall of Booze and tobacco packs.

BTW, in the last 5 years, Pot dispensaries have exploded in numbers to 800 across LA.

AND in the last 5 years, Crime has dropped to a 50 year low. They may not be related, but you can sure as heck can say Pot DOES NOT increase crime.

LAST THING--Sure there are 800 Pot clubs in LA. Compare that to Liquor Stores...There are something like 10,000 places that sell alcohol in LA County.

You want to know why the Mexican Drug Cartel switched funding their Ops with Pot instead of Alcohol (like they did for all those years in TJ and other boarder cities)?

Because there's 10,000 places here where you can buy alcohol.

The Prohibition of Alcohol caused more crime than it prevented, why would the Prohibition of Marijuana be any different.

[Get Real]

The "take home message" is that you can get any poll to show any result if you word the questions properly.

Imagine if the poll highlighted the crime problems at dispensaries? How about the simple fact that the supply of the marijuana is unregulated and evidence shows that Mexican cartels are involved. How about the fact that the drug is not regulated in any way for safety/contaminants? How about that the "dispensaries" are located near schools, parks and neighborhoods? How about the fact that tax revenues are illusory as no one has calculated the costs of enforcement and regulation?

This is not about anyone wanting to deny quality-of-life improving medicine for seriously ill patients. What this is about is preserving an unregulated, illegal drug trade that supplies millions of untraceable dollars to "dispensary" owners, operators and suppliers.

The people of the state did NOT approvde dispensaries. They approved the compassionate use of marijuana for the critically ill.

It is important to remember that Trutanich does not make law - that is up to legislators. Trutanich took an oath to uphold and enforce existing laws. He is obliged to do precisely what he is doing: Upholding and enforcing the law, nothing more, nothing less.

[Concerned_Parent]

Francisco R, I hear what you're saying. I wouldn't want a liquor store or a convenience store or a burger place right next to my home either. Every kind of business establishment needs to be located properly; thanks for reminding us about that perspective.

[Alissa]

It's easy to talk about medical marijuana or drugs in the greater sense- I don't have any huge issues with marijuana in general for any reason- only in its misuse- as much as I have a problem with people who get reckless with alcohol.

However, I would like to know how many of you live across from a dispensary? Is your lawn and the grounds of your public library covered in green prescription bottles- do you have people smoking in front of your house constantly- are there cars full of young men pouring in from Glendale at all hours, blocking the road and driveways, hanging in the alleys smoking and littering- are you harassed by the business owners and customers just because you are walking down your own street? Are there several other dispensaries in your neighborhood as well?

Well- that's the case for me. And the number of dispensaries is greater than pharmacies and liquor stores put together. At least the pharmacies and liquor stores are not on a residential street, and have some sort of reasonable hours, parking and signs claiming that they are what they are. This place is ABSOLUTELY making a profit. There is no way they aren't. The way the customers act & the kind of vibe, trash, and disrespect they bring into the neighborhood- I was certain this was a place to score coke for the first several months it was open.

This IS America- and while we need to rethink healthcare, drugs, the usefulness of hemp products, and more- these are tough times and letting dispensaries operate without the strict rules everyone else must adhere to just isn't "fair"- I read a story about a restaurant that has been unable to open for a year because they need another parking spot while these guys park at the library and double park in the street. It is busier than any other business in my neighborhood- aside from Starbucks. I bet Starbucks, as unpleasant as many people feel they are, is being run under a whole set of nasty rules.

I don't think I care to hear from another person who does not have a dispensary in their neighborhood- on their street. You're probably the kind of person who likes the idea of stepping into foreign wars and bombing countries because you don't have to look at it. I think Francisco R. has made a pretty good offer though... if you would like to invite this dispensary into your neighborhood- let me know- I will get you in contact.

[farbie]

Come on LA wake up and look at the model in Oakland. What are their numbers since they taxed the dispensarys? Leaving the marijuana trade to the streets causes more crime than some dispensarys getting robbed. Yes that happens and more than they will let us know. If these were taxed there would be more money to fight real crime, more money to hire more officers that could be better used to patrol gang infested neighborhoods. The voters of California voted to allow Medical Marijuana why is LA trying to go against the law when other cities are embracing the law?
The people have spoken on this issue long ago, with all the time and money already spent on trying to deter this industry there could have spent all that money on finding out how LA could also make a buck on the Legal industry of Medical Marijuana.

[Walter]

"Sandi Gibbons, a spokeswoman for the district attorney, said that Cooley merely intends to enforce state law. "Selling marijuana over the counter for profit is a violation of the law," she said. "Mr. Cooley has said that, if it is found that the marijuana is being supplied in accord with the Compassionate Use Act, then those operations are not targets." "

This is the line that keeps coming out of Trutanich/Cooley camp. It takes their point of view and agenda on this issue and tries to make it policy. They have been working closely with organizations that are looking to eradicate medical marijuana in California like the California Police Chiefs Association and the California Narcotics Officer's Association. These organizations are free to have their views on the issue but Cooley and Trutanich hold elected positions that require them by law to uphold and enforce STATE LAW! They don't get to have a point of view or an opinion. They get the law and the law only.

Here is the quoted text from Prop 215:

"11362.5. (C) To encourage the federal and state governments to implement a plan for the safe and affordable distribution of marijuana to all patients in medical need of marijuana."

This clearly states that the government is SUPPOSED TO IMPLEMENT a way for SAFE and AFFORDABLE DISTRIBUTION!!!! Seems to me the Cooley/Trutanich camp likes to just forget that they are charged with a way to help the PATIENTS who are also citizens of Los Angeles. Legitimate medical marijuana patients need the protection that Cooley/Trutanich were voted into office to provide! I don't get to make policy or interpret law, as a citizen I just have to live with it. Seems Cooley/Trutanich feel they can pick and choose which laws they want to obey...I think not. This has been state law for 13 years...time for them to get with the program

Shame on them for not trying to benefit and protect BOTH the general public AND the medical marijuana patients of Los Angeles. If they put 1/2 as much time into sensible regulations, like Oakland, West Hollywood, Berkley, San Francisco...all of whom seem to be having NO PROBLEM with the Federal Government, we would not have the proliferation of unregulated collectives that we have today. These guys are trying to BAN collectives and no matter how slick they try to spin it, that is the only conclusion that can be made by listening to their words and looking at their actions. And they hide behind "Selling marijuana over the counter for profit is a violation of the law,". This is simply their interpretation and they are not elected to interpret the law, they are elected to enforce it.
Shame, Shame, Shame.

[Dr.NosePikens]

i agree with MaxCohen "Let dispensaries make a profit." This is America home of the relativly free, so i again repeat and echo MaxCohen's comment!!
Let dispensaries make a profit!!

[mm]

Dispensaries need to be properly zoned like any retail establishment-agreed! Dispensaries should be taxed, protected and treated like any retail establishment-agreed! I don't understand Trutanich's unhinged and irrational hatred for something that, properly regulated, could give CA millions in much needed revenue..

[JAllen]

"The measure, drafted by City Atty. Carmen Trutanich’s office, would prohibit sales of medical marijuana."

WE ALREADY VOTED TO ALLOW IT!! YOU'D BE IN VIOLATION OF THE STATE LAW, WHICH TAKES PRECEDENCE OVER LOCAL LAW.

Well, what do you know? This is what you get electing someone who went to the "South Bay University of Law".

RE-CALL TIME.

[Fred]

So I guess if no one in you family has a green thumb your SOL why is the DA/CA so adversarial. Silly me for a moment I thought he worked for the voters who DO NOT support his actions the fact is that the entire state and local handling of this issue is a joke (Hello Jerry Brown get your troops in order) the courts have ruled that a person CAN contribute financially in a CO-OP or Collective. and what’s more it seem more like they are dealing with Terrorists(so of course you can't Negotiate only dictate)They don't like Cannabis and this is made obvious the fact that He/they attended the meeting held by the Narcotics Officers Ass and while it is a free country I think people acting under state colors should enforce the laws as they are and respect the intent of them and not they're personal opinions as a matter of policy! they're job is ENFORCMENT! Not policy but they are a very vocal minority with the attitude Drugs are bad and morally wrong ( and how many billions are spent on “mood altering” pharmaceuticals which are OK of course) they say that a lot of these people are not really sick and are "Abusing" the law when the fact is that over the past years we have learned that Cannabis is useful for many ailments for which there is no other effective option in traditional treatment or the side effects are intolerable and the compassionate use act allows you and your DOCTOR to decide what is useful for you NOT DA's/CA's/COPS The Fact is they don’t have a policy that you can comply with (It is vague and subject to change depending on who you talk to and when) Limiting the caregiver status to some narrow legal viewpoint is just another ploy in the prohibitionist agenda. As in any supply chain people will be needed to perform different functions as they’re abilities allow. We need is to sit down and come up with a solution that works for everyone and not in five years after more stalling and personal tragedy (losing your life savings in legal battles or imprisonment) while trying to understand an ever changing playing field is not fair and is un-American. Remember this is a legal battle ( NOT to be confused with Just US) so lets talk about compensation under prop 215/420 it is legal it establish CO-OP’s and or Collectives for cultivation and distribution of MMJ and the courts and the state attorney general have backed this up It is perfectly Legal for the Director of any Non profit Corporation or CO-OP/Collective to be paid a salary and to have employees earn wages and the organization can set the level of pay. Non-profits can also go after top talent and pay market wages for those talents like anyone else. As far as I know you can be on the board or work for as many Non-Profits as you want to so being on the board of 10 legal CO-OP’s is not illegal and if this were any other situation this would not even be an issue and these same people would support your right to do so. In a CO-OP you cover your expenses and return the profit to the members in the form of dividends at adopted intervals set by members so how could “Law Enforcement” possibly evaluate the legal status without reviewing the books? Selective enforcement of law is a Civil rights issue and as we have seen suit’s will follow like the one in Garden Grove, CA where the city’s refusal to return 3.5grs of legally possessed medicine cost the city $750,000! That money could have been used so many better ways!!! In this economy can we afford this, is this good use of TAXPAYER money when we need sales tax money and all the revenue we can get not to mention jobs. Mr.’s DA and CA remember you work for ALL THE PEOPLE not just the ones who PAID FOR YOUR CAMPAIN and we will not forget!
This type of campaign like the war on drugs in general leads to Lack of respect and ambivalence for our Government, Law Enforcement, Rule of Law, Respect can only be earned! “What really pisses me off is no one is pissed off” Bill Maher

[The Carrier]

This is the completely wrong way to be handling this especially at the hands of Steve Cooley. He needs to be disbarred from our district attorneys office he is doing this off a personal vendetta like the rest of his cases. These laws are unfair and will violate HIPAA and many ethical boundaries. The recommendations are issued by a state licensed doctor. We don't release the names of patients of all the people in pain management do we. Crime in Los Angeles is at a fifty year low, and Bratton left because of the non-sense backstabbing in Los Angeles politics. By fast tracking this to city council you are violating the rights of your constitutes. Next voting term Cooley will be gone and un-hireable in this great state. Way to waste city and state resources hopefully collectives will move out of la county taking business from this city.

[Fredster]

I understand the need for medicinal herbs to treat real medical conditions, but how many dispensaries is enough? Looking on www.weedneedz.com there's dispensaries next door to dispensaries - it's like Starbucks! Is there that much demand for "medical" use or is it more for recreational use by people willing to lie to a doctor? When do we say enough already?

[RFWoodstock]

Valid medicinal value, it’s a victimless crime, the War on Drugs WAY too costly, too many arrests for simple possession, tax it and use the money to pay for health insurance and to reduce the deficit. Need I say more?

Woodstock Universe supports legalization of Marijuana for a number of reasons. Check them out and vote in our poll "Should marijuana be legalized?" at http://woodstockuniverse.com

Current poll results: 96% for legalization and 4% opposed.

Add your vote. Poll runs through October.

Peace, love, music, one world,
RFWoodstock

[M]

Alissa, I do in fact live within 1 mile of at least 5 collectives and it's fantastic! I don't even need a car or bus to get there, I simply walk (and I am a single female). They are as close by as some of the nearest other businesses to my home, like restaurants and pharmacies. I've never seen people hanging out outside of these collectives smoking, that's more of something I see outside of the tattoo shops. Most people walk in and out back to their cars and go on their way. I do see the bottles tossed in bushes mixed in with trash from the nearby grocery store, tons of newspapers from those free paper distribution boxes (LA XPRESS, apartment finder, etc.), plastic bags, all sorts of drink bottles and cups (including many Starbucks cups and fast food wrappers), beer cans and other detris. Any problems you see with litter are probably part of a bigger problem with our society and what they feel is the proper way to treat our city. I've spent hours of my life cleaning the LA river, but I've never seen a medical marijuana bottle in the River. I have found countless plastic bags. Are those banned or highly regulated yet? They are actually responsible for sickening numbers of animal deaths each year.

Because I know myself and my behavior as well as my friends, I know that your statements are generalizations. I have been working hard to clean up my neighborhood, sometimes literally standing out on the streets picking up the trash myself out of the bushes with a nearby collective out the corner of my eye. All of the collectives I've visited have more intense security than any other business I've been to, outside of maybe a bank. It sounds like some problems for you might stem from the fact that not all cities in the Los Angeles area are treating medical marijuana the same, so their residents are driving elsewhere to get their medication. There are many of us, when given the chance, that will walk, bike, skateboard, or generally, not drive, to a local collective.

[Julian B Duron]

As a registered voter and taxpayer my concern is the regulation, enforcement and finally dispensing requirements. In the present time law enforcement can not even keep up with violent crime and criminals within the community.
But as with Liquor licenses for bars, clubs and restaurants the amount of these so called Dispensaries can be regulated and capped on how many will be allowed to operate in the community.
Once this is done a “fully financed by the dispensaries” not tax payer funded enforcement agency must be established. A Law enforcement branch, not a civil servant with out a badge.
Tax revenue from these dispensaries could be quite substantial if properly regulated and managed.
I may even go get a Rx and get myself a blunt but I will pay the tax like a good citizen!

[db cooper]

i love marijuana and think it should be legalized and critesized

[nick]

I don't know anymore? i recently lost my job driving a truck. due to medications i now i have to take. these dispensaries are greedy and i can say that being to a handful of them. i spent anywhere from 20 to 60 dollars a day on this stuff.
times that by 30 days alot money added up. i even offered volunteer services in return. And for 2 wks now i keep hearing alot talk but no one ever came through. so where's the compassion in that? just don't know what2think anymore.

[gail]

I have a dispensary at the end of my street, there is not more crime, no trash, no slimy people hanging around. Being that I have one so close to may home, I have to wonder if the people who complain about them near their homes are 'plants' by the DA, or just a bunch of cry babies...

I LIVE TWO BLOCKS FROM A DISPENSARY...it is fine, no problems. I think people just have a problem with marijuana, they'd feel the same way if a liquor store was on their street. Go live in farmland. This is a city. Supposedly a progressive city, but you'd never know if from our horrible ex-FBI agent DA Steve Cooley and his puppet City Attorney Trutanich.

[PB]

SANDI GIBBONS, STEVE COOLEY, CARMEN TRUTANICH:

You keep trying to twist the Compassionate Use Act, have you ever thought about asking the writers of it what they meant by 'AFFORDABLE USE'???
Just because it doesn't say SALES, doesn't mean a thing. How dare you supposedly be law enforcers, and try to write our laws according to your conservative and narrow viewpoints. My grandfather smoked a huka, it relaxed him. Some people drink a whisky or a scotch, others prefer smoking herb -who are you to say one is ok, and demonize the other. HOW DARE YOU ALL.

In other words, you purposely mislead the City Council and the people you serve, according to your own beliefs, and all those who give you large campaign contributions who pull your strings. You have angered so many people, and about to anger 1000 times more. Go ahead, get this ordinance passed, it'll be like hitting a hornets nest! You are going to cause unrest in this city. But you just don't have the foresight to see anything. Please stop, I want peace in my city!!!

[jon]

ah ha ha...Trutanich is on the board and using different names, how obvious can you get!!! concerned_parent

Trutanich, get off the board and go take care of your kids. You'll probably jump back on after they've gone to bed, etc.

Your posts are so full of your BS, it could only be you - or did you pay someone who works for you to support you on the boards - so you'd have a couple of positive responses. We all know you and Cooley stuff the boxes, stack the decks...you guys are pros.

[Jan Fisico]

Keep them OPEN! It's better to tax and regulate these places then creating a black market which supports criminal activity. We live in a modern world where we know that regulating and taxing this will help provide much needed cash for communities and our University of California and Cal State's and community colleges. Let's invest in the future

[Jeff]

Dispensary in my neighborhood? I would welcome it as long as it operates safely and legitimately. There's a store on my block that sells Ed Hardy clothing, but I don't complain about their legality because I don't like seeing d-bags hanging out on the streets shouting at each others. If you're on a main road that allows commercial operations, then that's where your problem is.

It's so easy to say that the DA is just "enforcing the law," but what he's really doing is playing semantics and choosing the side that is obviously not according to the wishes of the voters. Whatever his agenda is, I don't understand why he would risk political suicide (who would possibly re-elect a flip-flopper that disregards the public's wishes?), but it only makes me ashamed to say that he represents my city.

I also resent the opinions that the public shouldn't pay for keeping crime down around dispensaries. That is the job of the local police. The police shouldn't be given a free pass on not doing their job. Whether there is crime at a high school parking lot, at the local bank, pharmacy, corner pub, or dispensary, the police should be there to protect the citizens, businesses, and patrons from violent crime. How can anyone dare demand the appropriation of police vigilance to only the business they support. Crime around dispensaries is something the police should be preventing.

To the rest of LA, please, get over your self-serving biases and think about how we can allow evolve to allow fair and equal treatment of medical patients, dispensaries (vs other taxpaying mom and pop shops), and everyone else while we're at it (minorities, homosexuals, + everyone in between).

[responsible_user]

To the person who thinks that Marijuana legalization will cause more DUI's look up the statistics of other countries that legalized marijuana and you will find no increase in the amount of users. The people who get high and drive are irresponsible but this is a matter of personal responsibility. Forgive me for thinking that freedom of choice exists in a free country. Keep trying to legislate morality and all that happens is the creation of a black market.

[Capt. Recall]

I hope the folks of Los Angeles have not had their freedoms backslide from them without their knowledge. Look up the Brown Act, a law which requires transparency in city government through the public's notification of and involvement in actions made by the City Council.

[RRW]

Trutanich is a stunt clown. RECALL.

[robert --The"OWB"]

I wonder how much longer the myth of REEFER MADNESS will linger over the American sheep. It is such a good idea[medical marijuana] in more ways then giving dope too dopers. The amount of studies world wide are enough but American Drug War people will not see it!!! Look I have a bad habit of seeing the way ,ultimately, these things will work out! The good that will come from just the science of this God given herb, should impress even the most ardent warrior. I do believe we were given the use of these medicinal herbs. Only man, in his ultimate ignorance would put the kibosh on science and the good that will come from it's methods.
The ignorance just stupify's

[Joemamabush]

The same whom say pot is bad, are the ones that buy big pharma stock. Hence my thought, pensions plan. The same folks whom wish a human body should cover up cause her dress is showing to much skin IE:upsceen they say, said the preacher. Any preacher that utters one word should be removed from the bully pulpit. For claiming gods work upsceen, or the herbs and the plants created by god, not wine whice requires an process utilizing fermantation. (the blood of christ) plz send answers to me Joemamabush dot com Any prosecutor, d.a., etc. that legislates from the office, should they be hung after being tried in court and found guilty of treason acts upon the public trust? Or do you think this question is too extreem?

[ME]

The question to all Marihuana, (marijuana) addicts, would you be okay knowing your children are hooked up on weed???

[Sarah Keller]

The current law requires patients to grow their own (up to 12 plants) and then contribute what they grow to a Collective of other patients who all share amongst themselves. This is the most significant problem with the current law, for many reasons:
#1 Not all patients live where they can grow (i.e. in apartments, etc), and growing indoors can be very dangerous due to the heavy electrical load required.
#2 It is unfair and inhumane to require patients to create their own medicines.
#3 All other medications on the planet are sold for a profit and taxed - just ask pharmaceutical company shareholders.
With the enormous demand that has already been evidenced (and which will not just go away because people don't like it), the possible tax revenues are astronomical. Jobs currently being lost in the city could be saved and services to senior citizens and children could be continued and enhanced, among other things. It is inhumane and fiscally short-sighted to not allow the sale of cannabis for profit. The smokers will still smoke, just like the drinkers still drank during prohibition. The question is whether or not our political leaders will ever wise up and see that many very positive things could be made to come from it, instead of continuing the self-righteous moralizing that seems to be their default. As for the growing of it, I'm sure California farmers would be very happy constituents if new regulations required that they be the only ones permitted to grow. There really is something for everyone here.

[Kimmy]

This is just a sad situation!!! There are so many people in pain, and need it!!!!
What really irritates me is that the government says that the dispensaries are doing it for profit. (If I remember correctly from school...one would need to make a profit to stay in business, but mostly to take care of their families and to be a contributing part of America.) Well, the prescription drug companies aren't in it to really help people...(if they were I am sure that the cures for cancer and other horrible sicknesses would be readily available, and not have such horrible side effects. Marijuana is from the earth, a plant, natural. Plus, the owners of these dispensaries need to feed their families too!!! Are the government and health care industries just upset because they cannot make as much from it as they do from their prescription drugs? Wow...I thought that I was in the USA. It's bad enough that our health care system is too expensive for most.

Food for thought, what if the lawmakers found out that the only way that they could be cured or get any type of pain relief was from marijuana?
Lawmakers really seem to be wasting the taxpayers time and money!
When, they need to be concerned about, UNEMPLOYMENT, HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION(LACK THEREOF....SOME KIDS STILL CAN'T READ!!!!)
Lawmakers......GET YOUR PRIORITIES TOGETHER.....LET OTHERS MAKE A LIVING!! People have enough stress and hardship in their lives. It is bad enough that this Holiday Season, for most, will be stressful and may be spent in a lot of pain. Peace of mind is something that would be nice....PEACE OF MIND!! It isn't as if they are selling illegal substances to children or anyone. They are selling a plant from God's Earth OBVIOUSLY meant to aide in healing people and reducing their pain. I know of someone personally who CANNOT TAKE PRESCRIPTION MEDS for his CONSTANT PAIN!! Without marijuana, he would probably have ended his life because the pain he endures is almost unbearable.

CALIFORNIA NEEDS ALL THE HEALING THAT IT CAN GET FOR THESE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS!!! These dispensaries help to make people lives who are in pain, more bearable!!! Everyone deserves some happiness this Holiday Season!!!

My wish for this holiday is that our lawmakers would receive the wonderful gift of ENLIGHTENMENT!!

May everyone have a peaceful holiday!

[Kimmy]

This is just a sad situation!!! There are so many people in pain, and need it!!!!
What really irritates me is that the government says that the dispensaries are doing it for profit. (If I remember correctly from school...one would need to make a profit to stay in business, but mostly to take care of their families and to be a contributing part of America.) Well, the prescription drug companies aren't in it to really help people...(if they were I am sure that the cures for cancer and other horrible sicknesses would be readily available, and not have such horrible side effects. Marijuana is from the earth, a plant, natural. Plus, the owners of these dispensaries need to feed their families too!!! Are the government and health care industries just upset because they cannot make as much from it as they do from their prescription drugs? Wow...I thought that I was in the USA. It's bad enough that our health care system is too expensive for most.

Food for thought, what if the lawmakers found out that the only way that they could be cured or get any type of pain relief was from marijuana?
Lawmakers really seem to be wasting the taxpayers time and money!
When, they need to be concerned about, UNEMPLOYMENT, HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION(LACK THEREOF....SOME KIDS STILL CAN'T READ!!!!)
Lawmakers......GET YOUR PRIORITIES TOGETHER.....LET OTHERS MAKE A LIVING!! People have enough stress and hardship in their lives. It is bad enough that this Holiday Season, for most, will be stressful and may be spent in a lot of pain. Peace of mind is something that would be nice....PEACE OF MIND!! It isn't as if they are selling illegal substances to children or anyone. They are selling a plant from God's Earth OBVIOUSLY meant to aide in healing people and reducing their pain. I know of someone personally who CANNOT TAKE PRESCRIPTION MEDS for his CONSTANT PAIN!! Without marijuana, he would probably have ended his life because the pain he endures is almost unbearable.

CALIFORNIA NEEDS ALL THE HEALING THAT IT CAN GET FOR THESE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS!!! These dispensaries help to make people lives who are in pain, more bearable!!! Everyone deserves some happiness this Holiday Season!!!

My wish for this holiday is that our lawmakers would receive the wonderful gift of ENLIGHTENMENT!!

May everyone have a peaceful holiday!